]]>https://costacoast.com/2017/10/07/coming-to-denver/feed/0costa157CostaCoast at the Annoyancehttps://costacoast.com/2017/08/08/costacoast-at-the-annoyance/
https://costacoast.com/2017/08/08/costacoast-at-the-annoyance/#respondTue, 08 Aug 2017 20:43:11 +0000http://costacoast.com/?p=2177Read more]]>SEPTEMBER THIRD! We have a really really fun lineup planned, in one of Chicago’s best spaces. Check the homepage THURSDAY for tickets.

You’ll get to see Hot Tawdry, Eli Hamilton, Mr. Power: Titanic Tulga, Sally Marvel, Scott Piebenga, and, of course, me! It will be a blast.

]]>https://costacoast.com/2017/08/08/costacoast-at-the-annoyance/feed/0costa157costacoastweb2LA Trip a Success!https://costacoast.com/2017/08/08/la-trip-a-success/
https://costacoast.com/2017/08/08/la-trip-a-success/#respondTue, 08 Aug 2017 20:38:00 +0000http://costacoast.com/?p=2169Read more]]>I spent the last weekend in Sunny Los Angeles, and it shows. My neck and arms are BRIGHT red, and feel hot to the touch. It’s the first time I’ve thought of using the word “sere” to describe skin. It’s the byproduct of the car rental place upgrading you to a convertible. Which was awesome.

Curtains screened to a lot of laughs and a really really great reception. I can’t wait to see what Beth and Gar do going forward!

Also, Max and I had some great recording sessions on the new podcast with some old Chicago friends that made the move. It looks like something that we are going to have a lot of fun with moving forward. Afterwards, I got to see the difference between Venice Beach and Santa Monica, drive through the hills (awesome) and I ate at fish tacos at at least three different places.

I think I’m putting this here mostly to say, I’m keeping busy!

]]>https://costacoast.com/2017/08/08/la-trip-a-success/feed/0costa157“Curtains” Showing at LA Shorts Film Festivalhttps://costacoast.com/2017/07/27/curtains-showing-at-la-shorts-film-festival/
https://costacoast.com/2017/07/27/curtains-showing-at-la-shorts-film-festival/#respondThu, 27 Jul 2017 17:59:28 +0000http://costacoast.com/?p=2155Read more]]>My friends over at Idea Farm Films deserve a congratulations – the short they made (and gave me a bit part in; or should I say “butt part”) was selected for the LA Shorts International Film Festival. It screens Monday, August 7 2017 at 3:15 PM as part of Program 26. If everything goes to plan, I’ll be at the showing signing denim underwear.

Helping to make this film was a blast, I’m hoping it leads to great things for everyone involved!

]]>https://costacoast.com/2017/07/27/curtains-showing-at-la-shorts-film-festival/feed/0costa157CurtainsPeterPosterBig Easy Variety Showhttps://costacoast.com/2017/05/14/big-easy-variety-show/
https://costacoast.com/2017/05/14/big-easy-variety-show/#respondSun, 14 May 2017 16:51:10 +0000http://costacoast.com/?p=2146Read more]]>I’m excited to be hosting an open mic tonight, and even more excited that it is New Orleans Themed! The idea is that anything goes – it’s a variety mic, so the stranger the better.

It happens every SUNDAY night, sign up at 9 PM, at Fifolet Cajun in Wicker Park. The cool thing – the Third Sunday of every month will be a VARIETY SHOW showcase, and I’m excited to see how these shows turn out!

]]>https://costacoast.com/2017/05/14/big-easy-variety-show/feed/0costa157Dialoguehttps://costacoast.com/2016/05/21/dialogue/
https://costacoast.com/2016/05/21/dialogue/#respondSat, 21 May 2016 18:17:29 +0000http://costacoast.com/?p=2075Read more]]>“What was that, that you just said?”

“I said you’re not the woman I -”

“Not that. About my name on a placard.”

“No, I said NOT putting your name on a placard.”

“About NOT putting my name on a placard, then.”

“I said you’re not some martyr who deserves to have their name put up on a placard.”

“Oh.”

“I thought you wanted to have a discussion?”

“I did.”

“I’m not the one who -”

“I did want to but, why say ‘placard’?”

“Sorry?”

“Why a placard and not a plaque?”

“What difference…look, you were the one who wanted to discuss -.”

“I know. And I do. But I can’t now because I’m wondering what a ‘placard’ is.”

“It’s like a plaque.”

“Then why not say plaque?”

“I didn’t give it this much – ”

“Is it like a luncheon?”

“What?”

“I always wondered if people called big lunches ‘luncheons’ just to sound fancy, or if there’s some kind of ‘precision of language’ thing. Does luncheon really mean something different?”

“Who cares? It’s just formal.”

“I guess. ‘Want to go to lunch?’”

“I’m not going to let you distract -”

“I’m just trying it out loud. ‘Would you like to attend a luncheon?’”

“If you want to change the subject I’m going -”

“This is the subject.”

“In no world is this any-”

“Tell me what a placard is.”

“It’s like a plaque?”

“Then just say plaque.”

“…It’s like a lighter-duty plaque.”

“Like a temporary plaque?”

“…yeah.”

“Like a sign?”

“…like a sign.”

“You wouldn’t even put my name on a plaque that’s temporary.”

“…that’s really reading into…You’re really reaching here.”

“…”

“Don’t you think you’re reaching?”

“…”

“Are you going to answer me?”

“…”

“Are you crying?”

“…”

“I don’t think I should stay.”

]]>https://costacoast.com/2016/05/21/dialogue/feed/0costa157What’s Going on with the CostaCoast show?https://costacoast.com/2014/06/09/whats-going-on-with-the-costacoast-show/
https://costacoast.com/2014/06/09/whats-going-on-with-the-costacoast-show/#respondMon, 09 Jun 2014 05:05:30 +0000http://costacoast.com/?p=1814Read more]]>So our first show out of the gate was a wild success. Every single act more than delivered to a sold-out crowd, and I have tons and tons of people to thank for making it happen…

The scheduled second performance, however, was dead in the water almost before it began. After failing to notice I’d booked the first on Mother’s Day, I failed to notice I’d booked the second for Father’s Day. So rather than ask the members of the band and audience members lucky enough to have parents living nearby, I decided to postpone the next Cabaret until July…I’ve got really special stuff planned, and details will follow.

In the meanwhile, I’m going to host a get together on the original proposed day at the Den Theatre space I had reserved. We’ll be showing some video sketches, and I’ve invited some really great standup performers, m usicians, and improv groups to perform, notably Travler, a duo comprised of Tyler Davis and the soon-to-be-departing Travis Kendall. It’s going to be a free show (donations welcome!) and a lot of fun!

]]>https://costacoast.com/2014/06/09/whats-going-on-with-the-costacoast-show/feed/0costa157Springtime and Relationships – an essayhttps://costacoast.com/2014/04/30/springtime-and-relationships-an-essay/
https://costacoast.com/2014/04/30/springtime-and-relationships-an-essay/#commentsWed, 30 Apr 2014 17:38:20 +0000http://costacoast.com/?p=1798Read more]]>Springtime is nice, isn’t it? Everyone seems to look forward to those first light-jacket days and birdsong mornings. Spring is like watching Game of Thrones in reverse – “Winter is Leaving!”

But it’s also full of false hopes. Themes of rebirth and resurrection make you think you’re going to start to take charge and fix those things you’ve always wanted to fix. “This is the year” you say. For me it’s always “This is the year I go shirtless at the beach”.

Spring; I’ve realized my relationships follow the same pattern as the seasons. Spring is that first person that’s responsive to your smile, when you’re spending more time with them. You think “this is nice.”

But the truth is you’ve just been cold enough for long enough that you can convince yourself that wearing shorts in 50-degree weather is as good as you’re going to get. “This is all I ever really wanted” you’ll say.

And you walk around smiling like an idiot, not paying any attention when your friends say “really? shorts?” And there are signs but you ignore them, and it seems like it really is getting warmer. And you start to think, “I could get used to this” when – BOOM – snow in April.

She’s not sure if you’re committed, so she’s starting to withdraw. And she’s right. You’re suddenly thinking shorts were premature and you should seize the chance to put on some khakis. She’s asking what you want, and there’s a vicious back and forth – hot, cold, hot, cold until finally you just give in and scream “HOT!”

And after about two weeks of summer you realize hot is not what you wanted. Hot is smothering. Every store offers an invitation to “come in and escape the heat!” Not to mention, as soon as its hot, all other women simultaneously start to look amazing. They wear skimpier clothes, they’re getting tan, keeping fit. And smiling more. Right. At. You.

You pretend that it’s great for a few months, but things start to cool down. And you’re not sure anyone is going to understand, but it’s a relief! Everyone seems to expect you to just love summer, but saying goodbye is easy; it’s mutual, amicable.

You dust off your light jacket and take a walk – by yourself! – through the park to look at the leaves. You tell yourself, “I’m really more of a cold-weather person”. And you believe it.